Cardell Hayes was found guilty of manslaughter Sunday night for the shooting and killing of former Saints defensive end Will Smith on April 9 in New Orleans.
Cardell Hayes found guilty of manslaughter for the killing of former Saints DE Will Smith
Cardell Hayes faces up to 40 years in prison for shooting and killing former Saints defensive end Will Smith.
Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images
Manslaughter carries a sentence of up to 40 years in the state of Louisiana, with a minimum of 20 years. Hayes was also found guilty of attempted manslaughter for the shooting of Smith’s wife, Racquel Smith, in both of her legs.
The verdict came at the end of a much-delayed trial. Hayes was charged with second-degree murder, which could have meant a life sentence. The sentencing date is tentatively set for Feb. 17.
The shooting stemmed from a traffic incident in which Smith and Hayes reportedly got in an argument. Hayes shot Smith eight times — seven times in the back. Hayes’s attorneys argued that he was acting in self defense.
The trial brought out testimony from many of Smith’s former teammates. Saints head coach Sean Payton was in the courtroom for the verdict after landing in New Orleans from the Saints’ road game in Tampa Bay earlier in the day.
Because of the late hour of the outcome, the District Attorney’s office will hold a press conference Monday morning to discuss the verdict.
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